S.F. Opera Gala: The fashion

Color and volume dominated on a warm September evening as more than 3,000 guests attended the San Francisco Opera's 91st season-opening night featuring Boito's opera, "Mefistofele."

September 8, 2013 11:59 AM

Photo: Stephen Lam/Special to The Chronicle

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San Francisco Opera Guild Co-Chair Mai Shiver, left, in Luly Yang, and Ann Girard, in Angel Sanchez, stand for a photo with New York celebrity event planner Colin Cowie, middle, during the 91st Season Opening Night Gala of the San Francisco Opera at City Hall in San Francisco, Calif. on Friday, Sept. 6, 2013. less

San Francisco Opera Guild Co-Chair Mai Shiver, left, in Luly Yang, and Ann Girard, in Angel Sanchez, stand for a photo with New York celebrity event planner Colin Cowie, middle, during the 91st Season ... more

Joel Goodrich, left, and Clara Shayevich, share a smile as they walk from City Hall to attend the 91st Season Opening Night of the San Francisco Opera at War Memorial Opera House in San Francisco, Calif. on Friday, Sept. 6, 2013. less

Joel Goodrich, left, and Clara Shayevich, share a smile as they walk from City Hall to attend the 91st Season Opening Night of the San Francisco Opera at War Memorial Opera House in San Francisco, Calif. on ... more

Dr. Carolyn Chang in an Andrew Gn gown at the 91st San Francisco Season Opening Opera Gala in San Francisco Calif. on Friday, Sept. 6, 2013.

Dr. Carolyn Chang in an Andrew Gn gown at the 91st San Francisco Season Opening Opera Gala in San Francisco Calif. on Friday, Sept. 6, 2013.

Photo: Alex Washburn, Special To The Chronicle

Dr. Carolyn Chang in an Andrew Gn gown at the 91st San Francisco... Photo-5152720.69792 - NewsTimes

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Darren Bechtel and Samantha DuVall pose for a photograph at the 91st San Francisco Season-Opening Opera Gala in San Francisco Calif. on Friday, Sept. 6, 2013. The couple stood out in a bespoke suit and Azadeh gown. less

Darren Bechtel and Samantha DuVall pose for a photograph at the 91st San Francisco Season-Opening Opera Gala in San Francisco Calif. on Friday, Sept. 6, 2013. The couple stood out in a bespoke suit and Azadeh ... more

Boaz Mazor (of Oscar de la Renta) wears devil embroidered loafers with a tuxedo from Savile Row at the 91st San Francisco Season-Opening Opera Gala in San Francisco Calif. on Friday, Sept. 6, 2013. The theme of the nights' decorations was 'The Garden of Good and Evil'. less

Boaz Mazor (of Oscar de la Renta) wears devil embroidered loafers with a tuxedo from Savile Row at the 91st San Francisco Season-Opening Opera Gala in San Francisco Calif. on Friday, Sept. 6, 2013. The theme ... more

New York celebrity event planner Colin Cowie wears a crystal skull tie during the 91st Season Opening Night Gala of the San Francisco Opera at City Hall in San Francisco, Calif. on Friday, Sept. 6, 2013.

New York celebrity event planner Colin Cowie wears a crystal skull tie during the 91st Season Opening Night Gala of the San Francisco Opera at City Hall in San Francisco, Calif. on Friday, Sept. 6, 2013.

New York celebrity event planner Colin Cowie wears a skull cuff link by Jacob & Co. during the 91st Season Opening Night Gala of the San Francisco Opera at City Hall in San Francisco, Calif. on Friday, Sept. 6, 2013. less

New York celebrity event planner Colin Cowie wears a skull cuff link by Jacob & Co. during the 91st Season Opening Night Gala of the San Francisco Opera at City Hall in San Francisco, Calif. on Friday, Sept. 6, ... more

New York celebrity event planner Colin Cowie wears a shoe Stubbs & Wootton during the 91st Season Opening Night Gala of the San Francisco Opera at City Hall in San Francisco, Calif. on Friday, Sept. 6, 2013.

New York celebrity event planner Colin Cowie wears a shoe Stubbs & Wootton during the 91st Season Opening Night Gala of the San Francisco Opera at City Hall in San Francisco, Calif. on Friday, Sept. 6, 2013.

San Francisco Opera Guild Co-Chair Mai Shiver, left, in a Luly Yang, and Ann Girard, in Angel Sanchez, stand for a photo during the 91st Season Opening Night Gala of the San Francisco Opera at City Hall in San Francisco, Calif. on Friday, Sept. 6, 2013. less

San Francisco Opera Guild Co-Chair Mai Shiver, left, in a Luly Yang, and Ann Girard, in Angel Sanchez, stand for a photo during the 91st Season Opening Night Gala of the San Francisco Opera at City Hall in San ... more

Karen Caldwell (left) in a gown of her own creation at the 91st San Francisco Season-Opening Opera Gala with Clara Shayevich (in Vasily Vein) on Friday, Sept. 6, 2013.

Karen Caldwell (left) in a gown of her own creation at the 91st San Francisco Season-Opening Opera Gala with Clara Shayevich (in Vasily Vein) on Friday, Sept. 6, 2013.

Photo: Alex Washburn, Special To The Chronicle

Karen Caldwell (left) in a gown of her own creation at the 91st San... Photo-5155458.69792 - NewsTimes

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Karen Caldwell accessorized a gown of her own design with Oscar de la Renta earrings at the 91st San Francisco Season-Opening Opera Gala in San Francisco Calif. on Friday, Sept. 6, 2013.

Karen Caldwell accessorized a gown of her own design with Oscar de la Renta earrings at the 91st San Francisco Season-Opening Opera Gala in San Francisco Calif. on Friday, Sept. 6, 2013.

Photo: Alex Washburn, Special To The Chronicle

Karen Caldwell accessorized a gown of her own design with Oscar de... Photo-5151479.69792 - NewsTimes

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Joel Goodrich in a Chanel jacket, Versace sequin shirt, and Dolce & Gabbana crystal shoes during the 91st Season Opening Night Gala of the San Francisco Opera at City Hall in San Francisco, Calif. on Friday, Sept. 6, 2013. less

Joel Goodrich in a Chanel jacket, Versace sequin shirt, and Dolce & Gabbana crystal shoes during the 91st Season Opening Night Gala of the San Francisco Opera at City Hall in San Francisco, Calif. on Friday, ... more

Detail's of Joel Goodrich's Chanel jacket button and Versace sequin jacket seen during the 91st Season Opening Night Gala of the San Francisco Opera at City Hall in San Francisco, Calif. on Friday, Sept. 6, 2013. less

Detail's of Joel Goodrich's Chanel jacket button and Versace sequin jacket seen during the 91st Season Opening Night Gala of the San Francisco Opera at City Hall in San Francisco, Calif. on Friday, Sept. 6, ... more

Angelique Griepp in a gown by Valentino
during the 91st Season Opening Night Gala of the San Francisco Opera at City Hall in San Francisco, Calif. on Friday, Sept. 6, 2013.

Angelique Griepp in a gown by Valentino
during the 91st Season Opening Night Gala of the San Francisco Opera at City Hall in San Francisco, Calif. on Friday, Sept. 6, 2013.

Photo: Stephen Lam, Special To The Chronicle

Angelique Griepp in a gown by Valentino
during the 91st Season... Photo-5151024.69792 - NewsTimes

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Dr. Isha Abdullah, left, in an Emanuel Ungaro dress, and husband Asim Abdullah stand for a photo during the 91st Season Opening Night of the San Francisco Opera at War Memorial Opera House in San Francisco, Calif. on Friday, Sept. 6, 2013. less

Dr. Isha Abdullah, left, in an Emanuel Ungaro dress, and husband Asim Abdullah stand for a photo during the 91st Season Opening Night of the San Francisco Opera at War Memorial Opera House in San Francisco, ... more

Nancy Bechtle holds up her Alexander McQueen clutch at the 91st San Francisco Season-Opening Opera Gala in San Francisco Calif. on Friday, Sept. 6, 2013. The theme of the decor for the night was 'The Garden of Good and Evil'. less

Nancy Bechtle holds up her Alexander McQueen clutch at the 91st San Francisco Season-Opening Opera Gala in San Francisco Calif. on Friday, Sept. 6, 2013. The theme of the decor for the night was 'The Garden of ... more

(L-R) Claudia Ross in a gown by Donna Karan, Elisabeth Thieriot in a gown by Zac Posen, and Lora du Bain in a vintage Nina Ricci gown
during the 91st Season Opening Night of the San Francisco Opera at War Memorial Opera House in San Francisco, Calif. on Friday, Sept. 6, 2013. less

(L-R) Claudia Ross in a gown by Donna Karan, Elisabeth Thieriot in a gown by Zac Posen, and Lora du Bain in a vintage Nina Ricci gown
during the 91st Season Opening Night of the San Francisco Opera at War ... more

(L-R) Sharyl Montague in a gown by Ann Demeulemeester, Jill Grossman in a gown by BCBG, and Robin Laub in a gown by Rock & Republic during the 91st Season Opening Night Gala of the San Francisco Opera at City Hall in San Francisco, Calif. on Friday, Sept. 6, 2013. less

(L-R) Sharyl Montague in a gown by Ann Demeulemeester, Jill Grossman in a gown by BCBG, and Robin Laub in a gown by Rock & Republic during the 91st Season Opening Night Gala of the San Francisco Opera at City ... more

Nancy Cunningham Clark wears a gown by Oscar de la Renta and necklace by Nini by Bangkok during the 91st Season Opening Night Gala of the San Francisco Opera at City Hall in San Francisco, Calif. on Friday, Sept. 6, 2013. less

Nancy Cunningham Clark wears a gown by Oscar de la Renta and necklace by Nini by Bangkok during the 91st Season Opening Night Gala of the San Francisco Opera at City Hall in San Francisco, Calif. on Friday, ... more